Gulfstream Park: Shanghai Bobby gets to work, with Holy Bull his starting point

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Shanghai Bobby took his first baby step back toward his 3-year-old debut when he worked an easy half-mile in 52 seconds at the Palm Meadows training center Monday. Shanghai Bobby is scheduled to launch his 2013 campaign in the Grade 3 Holy Bull here Jan. 26.

“It was just an easy first breeze back,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “I was debating whether to go three-eighths or a half-mile and decided to go an easy half. He did well for a starting point, will come back and breeze again next Monday, and then pick it up from there.”

Shanghai Bobby, a son of Harlan’s Holiday, won all five starts at 2, including the BC Juvenile, the Grade 2 Hopeful, and Grade 1 Champagne. He is the overwhelming favorite to be voted the 2-year-old champion for 2012. Shanghai Bobby is owned by Starlight Partners, which sold a share of the horse to Coolmore’s Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor the week of the Breeders’ Cup.

“I think, physically, the horse has done very well since the Breeders’ Cup,” Pletcher said. “He had a good rest, put on a little weight, and looks great.”

In a previous version, the Holy Bull was incorrectly listed as a Grade 3 race. It is a Grade 2.